Sullivan legislator won't take raise

Sunday

Mar 28, 2010 at 2:00 AM

MONTICELLO — Legislator David Sager will be paid $629 less than most of his colleagues in 2010. That's because Sager has opted to freeze his salary at the 2007 level, the year he was elected.The salary will still accrue – either for Sager, if he returns to office, or the next person to fill the position – according to county officials.Only Sager isn't taking any of the increases.

BY STEPHEN SACCO

MONTICELLO — Legislator David Sager will be paid $629 less than most of his colleagues in 2010. That's because Sager has opted to freeze his salary at the 2007 level, the year he was elected.The salary will still accrue – either for Sager, if he returns to office, or the next person to fill the position – according to county officials.Only Sager isn't taking any of the increases. “I think it's a conflict of interest for the legislators to vote on their own salaries,” he said. Sager would like to see the system reformed so there is a fixed rate for a full term in office, which, for the Sullivan legislators would be four years, set by an independent board.The legislators usually vote to take the same raise given to union members in any given year, said Legislature Chairman Jonathan Rouis. But for 2010, the legislators took no increase. It was a tough budget year with 26 layoffs, a 5.84 percent tax increase and no raises for unionized managers working for the county.The chairman, currently Rouis, will receive $9,000 more than the rest of the legislators in 2010. The chairman has additional duties and is often called on to represent the county.Sullivan does not give extra money for committee work, or for the position of minority or majority leaders, as some counties do.But as part-time employees, the legislators are entitled to full county benefits, which includes health insurance. The county manager's office estimates the benefits package is worth about $8,000 for an individual and $16,000 for a family. Legislators Kathy LaBuda, Frank Armstrong and Elwin “Woody” Wood have elected not to receive benefits through the county.Rouis says problems can arise when everybody isn't paid the same or when elected officials defer raises for too long. He points to the situation with New York state judges, whose pay has not kept pace and are now asking for substantial increases when the state is strapped for cash.ssacco@th-record.com